Thank you, Evonne! A pilgrimage on The Heart Path is surely an extended form of walking meditation, and thank you for offering those opportunities to nurture and strengthen our inner selves.
Thank you for being here, Christina, and for your thoughtfulness. It's so easy to assume we are all alike, and as we've experienced recently, that can lead to painful miscommunication. It's our diversity that enriches humanity.
Thank you for everything, Susan! ❤️🙏 The other night, I told Brenda about how much I love you. I'm grateful for you, your consistent ways, and all you give through your words and actions.
Thank you Susan. I am doing well. Have a follow-up on 1/19, which will tell me about plans to proceed. In the meantime, I’m here healing and glad to have my energy back and be moving some again.
May that follow-up bring positive news. And may the healing continue, and you be able to move more and more freely as the days gone by on. Careful virtual hugs to you.
Thank you for the shout-out, Susan. ❤️ But also, thank you for such a lovely description of walking meditation. Our practices are very similar. I find walking grounds and soothes me in a way that few other things can. Being grounded is one way to break open to what is truly happening. Thank you. You captured it so well. 🙏
Julia, I was delighted at the synchronicity of our posts. It's such a gift when teachings compliment each other. And I love this: "Being grounded is one way to break open to what is truly happening." Yes. And that makes me wonder if the fear of breaking open to these times is part of why so many of us take refuge in distraction and denial. A tragedy, yet we are human--we can only do our best at any given moment. Blessings to you!
Well, you just wrote a mouthful. Yes. I think you're right that fear is a big part of our craving for distraction. That would be a very interesting conversation to have sometime, wouldn't it?
It would indeed be an interesting conversation. And your comment makes me think that the fear of having to face our grief and helplessness at climate change may be why some deny it altogether and why so many of us have disconnected from this earth and our bond with the plant and all of life. That would be an interesting topic to explore too.
Wow. That makes total sense. I hadn't thought of that.
This gives me another thought. I would love to have a deep, vulnerable conversation with someone who denies climate change to learn how they experience their opinion. I'm not sure this is even possible to set up but what I'm pointing to is this: I can have lots of opinions about what people may or may not think, and whether they may or may not feel fear (or any other emotion). But what is really going on with them? The problem in this fantasy is that it is likely to get stuck in the storyline and become a my-facts-vs-your-facts argument. But I'm interested in what you suggested--is there fear and if so, where is it? What is it about? How does it manifest? How does it feel to deny what science can prove?
I ponder this with sympathy. There are many facts which bring up confusion, insecurity, or fear in me. Sometimes I understand my resistance as being grounded in commonsense. Sometimes, it is just plain, 'ole resistance. And sometimes, I can see a vantage point that will only be revealed years later. But in all of these instances, I'm reacting to facts with emotions and defense of "my territory".
Your thoughts and ideas are very timely. This morning, I read a piece about how we defend ourselves (and our ideas) to feel comfortable, essentially defending ourselves from the groundlessness of being open. Fear is at the heart of it. It's interesting to consider the fear behind how people treat the environment.
Julia, I wonder if now that you've seen this new perspective on why people might deny climate change if you might well get the chance to have an open conversation with someone. I think that sometimes when we see things differently, opportunities appear that wouldn't otherwise have been ones we could see and take advantage of. And your questions are really cogent ones. I so appreciate too, how you moved from thinking about that kind of conversation with another to how fear or confusion on simply defensiveness might cause you (or any of us) to harden our stances and not be open to learning or changing. We are such fragile humans in so many ways. I am pondering the idea of how to reach someone who is so fearful about what is happing with this earth and humanity that they are locked in denial. I think it might have to begin by appealing to what they love about this world, not what they fear. I'm going to keep pondering. Blessings!
I'm going to add one more piece to your ponderings (mostly because I'm about to spend a week at a family reunion so the "talking to people with fearful opinions" situation is really on my mind.)
One of my family members (who, BTW, I have deep affection for) has opinions that are very different than my own. He was anti-mask during Covid. He might think that most Mexicans are gang members. And for the purposes of this story, here's the big one: he is pro-guns. He's so pro-gun that he once admitted that he stockpiles guns because he's afraid there will be an invasion when "they" might come and kidnap his wife (in the middle of rural Wisconsin)
He revealed this during a Thanksgiving meal years ago.
He was nervous telling us this, possibly because of worry about what the family would think. It was a very sensitive, tender, vulnerable conversation. I remember that everyone did a lot of listening--not commenting or discussing. We all just listened. We gave him a space to feel safe.
Then, I pointed out that the root of his actions was a desire to protect his family. We could all relate to that. Everyone wanted our families to be safe, we just approached it in different ways.
Keep me updated on how you reach out to people in denial about climate change. And thank you for this thoughtful conversation.
We never discussed whether his thought process was reasonable or whether having guns in his house (with kids) was safe. We left those conversations for some other day.
So here's the thing: I think changing minds takes many conversations--not just one. I think it starts with listening and finding common ground. I think that having genuine affection for your fellow human beings helps.
I would imagine he doesn't believe in climate change. I doubt that I could ever ask him if the idea of climate change sparks fear. But I do think that by building a relationship with him based on our shared humanity might mean that some day, he might be open to challenging his ideas. But in the meantime, we're not enemies.
Whew! My apologies for telling a story in the comments. I got carried away. Wish me luck at my family event. There is likely going to be many occasions to breathe and remind myself how much I care about these people!!
Thank you for the resources you shared and your beautiful message of how to stay grounded in difficult times. I especially like Thich Naht Hanh's idea of kissing the earth with our feet.
Isn't that a wonderful image and practice, Courtney? I remember when I first heart Thich Naht Hanh use that phrase, and what joy I felt as I practiced my walking with that in mind. These times ask us to be the best humans we can be, in order to reweave a healthy country, healthy communities and a healthy earth. Staying grounded through contemplative practices seems to me to be essential to being and acting in effective and lasting ways.
Oh, Susan, yes. Walking. And how attentive I try to be and how much healthier I am when I stay grounded. It is easy, so easy, to lose focus. But then a hawk flies by or a deer stands in a neighbor's yard or I think I hear a fox calling and I am back in the world of good. Thank you, Susan, for being a peace maker. xoxo
"And I am back in the world of good"--yes to that, Beth. May the world of good always call to you, always fill your spirit, always ground you when you need it. Especially now, in these f-ing traumatic times. xoxo
What a gift to learn walking meditation from Jack Kornfield, Karen! Although walking in a group situation would probably unnerve me. I need to be off on my solo path to not be distracted by the constant buzz of other people's energy and emotions. I'm so glad you had that day with Kornfield and the opportunity to absorb his teachings.
Lovely words, lovely photos ... and I'm so glad you shared this beautiful practice. I have spent many, many hours in walking meditation in my adult life, but the sweetest ones were when I practiced it outside. I rejoice that you have this practice, too.
Thank you, Jeanne. I can imagine you kissing the earth with your feet as you walk the verdant woods on your beautiful Appalachian refuge there, and I can believe those hours are the sweetest of that richly rewarding practice! I flunk walking meditation inside, but I find it natural (pun unintended) outside. Indoors I can't find my inner peace; outdoors I can, even in cities. Must be the air and sunlight and the feel of all of those non-human lives around me going about their business.... :)
I know what you mean by mind wandering, but I try to walk every day, at least a mile, sometimes two, if I feel up to it. I usually use a trail walker because both my knees are a bit unsteady and I have circulation problems in my left leg to add to the problem. But on I go. The walker turns into a chair, so I can sit above the Salish Sea (Puget Sound) or along the Edmonds Marsh and see what birds are around. The last time I went out with Rebecca to at Pine Ridge Park, we forgot the walker and so I walked the ca. half mile to Goodhope Pond and back with a cane. The trail there is surrounded with second growth Douglas Fir (some up to maybe 100 feet), and Red Cedar, with a few Hemlocks and Red Alders. Along the end of the trail, to which I can no longer walk, there are a few Shore Pines, and the forest floor is covered with Sword Ferns, Lady Ferns and some Bracken, mixed with Armenian Blackberries and Herb Robert- two invaders. The trees have hanging lichens and occastinal shelf fungi. On this trip we ran into two Pileated Woodpeckers, a flock of Golden-crowned Kinglets and a Common Raven!
David, What a gift those four-wheel drive trail walkers are! I have a friend with Parkinson's who uses his to get outside and photograph birds and wildlife every day. It's not an exaggeration to say it's his salvation, I think.
Your walks sound nourishing in all ways. Do you use eBird and iNaturalist to record your sightings? They're both such impressive databases of citizen science.
As I’ve gotten stronger, I’ve begun to walk every day and be aware of how many steps I’m taking. I have practiced your form of walking meditation, inside around the interior of the house when it’s too cold to be outside. I now look forward to it instead of wondering if it’s going to be too much for my body. I’ve gradually increased my steps over the last six months by about 200 a day.
Kathryn, I am so glad to hear that you are now walking every day. That is such a gift! Being able to move in a mindful way, step by step, has to be good for you in so many ways, from spiritual to physical. And what a boost for your sense of self, too! May your walking meditation continue to be fulfilling and to help ground you in this traumatic times. Many blessings to you.
I am inspired and fascinated by the 19 monks of the Dhammacetiya project. In my mind's eye, I imagine walking with them, and they, walking with me. In a tumultuous time, you offer a way to find perspective; to tune into our humanity; to know kinship with the earth and sky. In short, you suggest a way to live and walk in the beauty of life. I'm so grateful for your grace, my friend.
Thank you, Stephanie. I've had an extremely ungraceful week with overwhelming deadlines, family crises, and friends who I am nurturing through long-term difficult situations, in addition to the events in the news. I feel like walking meditation is the only thing holding me together, and that barely. We will get through this.... Hugs to you!
Yes to walking meditation! And beautiful humans like you! ❤️
Thank you, Evonne! A pilgrimage on The Heart Path is surely an extended form of walking meditation, and thank you for offering those opportunities to nurture and strengthen our inner selves.
These resources look really helpful, and I like that you’ve acknowledged different ones will be helpful to different people.
Thank you for being here, Christina, and for your thoughtfulness. It's so easy to assume we are all alike, and as we've experienced recently, that can lead to painful miscommunication. It's our diversity that enriches humanity.
Thank you for everything, Susan! ❤️🙏 The other night, I told Brenda about how much I love you. I'm grateful for you, your consistent ways, and all you give through your words and actions.
Bless you, Evonne! May The Heart Path continue to unfold for you, and bring you richness in all ways.
Thank you, Susan! ❤️ Bless you, too! ✨
Love this Susan. Thank you!
Thanks for reading and commenting in this time of your recovery, Emily! I think of you daily and send all sorts of love your way.
Thank you Susan. I am doing well. Have a follow-up on 1/19, which will tell me about plans to proceed. In the meantime, I’m here healing and glad to have my energy back and be moving some again.
May that follow-up bring positive news. And may the healing continue, and you be able to move more and more freely as the days gone by on. Careful virtual hugs to you.
A wonderful post! and thank you for mentioning a pair of resources for walking meditation.
Of those resources, Nancy, Julia Rymut's post at Embodied Living is tremendously valuable. And thank you for the comment. :)
Thank you for the shout-out, Susan. ❤️ But also, thank you for such a lovely description of walking meditation. Our practices are very similar. I find walking grounds and soothes me in a way that few other things can. Being grounded is one way to break open to what is truly happening. Thank you. You captured it so well. 🙏
Julia, I was delighted at the synchronicity of our posts. It's such a gift when teachings compliment each other. And I love this: "Being grounded is one way to break open to what is truly happening." Yes. And that makes me wonder if the fear of breaking open to these times is part of why so many of us take refuge in distraction and denial. A tragedy, yet we are human--we can only do our best at any given moment. Blessings to you!
Well, you just wrote a mouthful. Yes. I think you're right that fear is a big part of our craving for distraction. That would be a very interesting conversation to have sometime, wouldn't it?
It would indeed be an interesting conversation. And your comment makes me think that the fear of having to face our grief and helplessness at climate change may be why some deny it altogether and why so many of us have disconnected from this earth and our bond with the plant and all of life. That would be an interesting topic to explore too.
Wow. That makes total sense. I hadn't thought of that.
This gives me another thought. I would love to have a deep, vulnerable conversation with someone who denies climate change to learn how they experience their opinion. I'm not sure this is even possible to set up but what I'm pointing to is this: I can have lots of opinions about what people may or may not think, and whether they may or may not feel fear (or any other emotion). But what is really going on with them? The problem in this fantasy is that it is likely to get stuck in the storyline and become a my-facts-vs-your-facts argument. But I'm interested in what you suggested--is there fear and if so, where is it? What is it about? How does it manifest? How does it feel to deny what science can prove?
I ponder this with sympathy. There are many facts which bring up confusion, insecurity, or fear in me. Sometimes I understand my resistance as being grounded in commonsense. Sometimes, it is just plain, 'ole resistance. And sometimes, I can see a vantage point that will only be revealed years later. But in all of these instances, I'm reacting to facts with emotions and defense of "my territory".
Your thoughts and ideas are very timely. This morning, I read a piece about how we defend ourselves (and our ideas) to feel comfortable, essentially defending ourselves from the groundlessness of being open. Fear is at the heart of it. It's interesting to consider the fear behind how people treat the environment.
Thank you, Susan.
Julia, I wonder if now that you've seen this new perspective on why people might deny climate change if you might well get the chance to have an open conversation with someone. I think that sometimes when we see things differently, opportunities appear that wouldn't otherwise have been ones we could see and take advantage of. And your questions are really cogent ones. I so appreciate too, how you moved from thinking about that kind of conversation with another to how fear or confusion on simply defensiveness might cause you (or any of us) to harden our stances and not be open to learning or changing. We are such fragile humans in so many ways. I am pondering the idea of how to reach someone who is so fearful about what is happing with this earth and humanity that they are locked in denial. I think it might have to begin by appealing to what they love about this world, not what they fear. I'm going to keep pondering. Blessings!
Totally, Susan. I'm right there with you.
I'm going to add one more piece to your ponderings (mostly because I'm about to spend a week at a family reunion so the "talking to people with fearful opinions" situation is really on my mind.)
One of my family members (who, BTW, I have deep affection for) has opinions that are very different than my own. He was anti-mask during Covid. He might think that most Mexicans are gang members. And for the purposes of this story, here's the big one: he is pro-guns. He's so pro-gun that he once admitted that he stockpiles guns because he's afraid there will be an invasion when "they" might come and kidnap his wife (in the middle of rural Wisconsin)
He revealed this during a Thanksgiving meal years ago.
He was nervous telling us this, possibly because of worry about what the family would think. It was a very sensitive, tender, vulnerable conversation. I remember that everyone did a lot of listening--not commenting or discussing. We all just listened. We gave him a space to feel safe.
Then, I pointed out that the root of his actions was a desire to protect his family. We could all relate to that. Everyone wanted our families to be safe, we just approached it in different ways.
Keep me updated on how you reach out to people in denial about climate change. And thank you for this thoughtful conversation.
We never discussed whether his thought process was reasonable or whether having guns in his house (with kids) was safe. We left those conversations for some other day.
So here's the thing: I think changing minds takes many conversations--not just one. I think it starts with listening and finding common ground. I think that having genuine affection for your fellow human beings helps.
I would imagine he doesn't believe in climate change. I doubt that I could ever ask him if the idea of climate change sparks fear. But I do think that by building a relationship with him based on our shared humanity might mean that some day, he might be open to challenging his ideas. But in the meantime, we're not enemies.
Whew! My apologies for telling a story in the comments. I got carried away. Wish me luck at my family event. There is likely going to be many occasions to breathe and remind myself how much I care about these people!!
Thank you for the resources you shared and your beautiful message of how to stay grounded in difficult times. I especially like Thich Naht Hanh's idea of kissing the earth with our feet.
Isn't that a wonderful image and practice, Courtney? I remember when I first heart Thich Naht Hanh use that phrase, and what joy I felt as I practiced my walking with that in mind. These times ask us to be the best humans we can be, in order to reweave a healthy country, healthy communities and a healthy earth. Staying grounded through contemplative practices seems to me to be essential to being and acting in effective and lasting ways.
I am walking by your side. ( my left knee also aches, my hands are cold and my Morton’s toe rubs my shoes 😕)
My sympathy on those shared pains, Jerry! My long toe isn't a genetic thing, it's a result of a rodeo accident when I was young and stupid. ;)
Young is the best time to be stupid, you recover much better. Best overall is to avoid stupid!
True on both counts. It's hard to avoid stupid when you're young and invincible though. :)
Oh, Susan, yes. Walking. And how attentive I try to be and how much healthier I am when I stay grounded. It is easy, so easy, to lose focus. But then a hawk flies by or a deer stands in a neighbor's yard or I think I hear a fox calling and I am back in the world of good. Thank you, Susan, for being a peace maker. xoxo
"And I am back in the world of good"--yes to that, Beth. May the world of good always call to you, always fill your spirit, always ground you when you need it. Especially now, in these f-ing traumatic times. xoxo
I learned about walking meditation years ago from a day with Jack Kornfield. We all (about 25 people) walked silently, and it was wonderful.
What a gift to learn walking meditation from Jack Kornfield, Karen! Although walking in a group situation would probably unnerve me. I need to be off on my solo path to not be distracted by the constant buzz of other people's energy and emotions. I'm so glad you had that day with Kornfield and the opportunity to absorb his teachings.
When living in Northern California, I was fortunate to attend many fabulous workshops. Another thing to be grateful for.
Lovely words, lovely photos ... and I'm so glad you shared this beautiful practice. I have spent many, many hours in walking meditation in my adult life, but the sweetest ones were when I practiced it outside. I rejoice that you have this practice, too.
Thank you, Jeanne. I can imagine you kissing the earth with your feet as you walk the verdant woods on your beautiful Appalachian refuge there, and I can believe those hours are the sweetest of that richly rewarding practice! I flunk walking meditation inside, but I find it natural (pun unintended) outside. Indoors I can't find my inner peace; outdoors I can, even in cities. Must be the air and sunlight and the feel of all of those non-human lives around me going about their business.... :)
I know what you mean by mind wandering, but I try to walk every day, at least a mile, sometimes two, if I feel up to it. I usually use a trail walker because both my knees are a bit unsteady and I have circulation problems in my left leg to add to the problem. But on I go. The walker turns into a chair, so I can sit above the Salish Sea (Puget Sound) or along the Edmonds Marsh and see what birds are around. The last time I went out with Rebecca to at Pine Ridge Park, we forgot the walker and so I walked the ca. half mile to Goodhope Pond and back with a cane. The trail there is surrounded with second growth Douglas Fir (some up to maybe 100 feet), and Red Cedar, with a few Hemlocks and Red Alders. Along the end of the trail, to which I can no longer walk, there are a few Shore Pines, and the forest floor is covered with Sword Ferns, Lady Ferns and some Bracken, mixed with Armenian Blackberries and Herb Robert- two invaders. The trees have hanging lichens and occastinal shelf fungi. On this trip we ran into two Pileated Woodpeckers, a flock of Golden-crowned Kinglets and a Common Raven!
David, What a gift those four-wheel drive trail walkers are! I have a friend with Parkinson's who uses his to get outside and photograph birds and wildlife every day. It's not an exaggeration to say it's his salvation, I think.
Your walks sound nourishing in all ways. Do you use eBird and iNaturalist to record your sightings? They're both such impressive databases of citizen science.
Yes I use both to record my observations.I now have over 3000 photos on ebird, some not very good, but I had some lucky shots as well.
One of my best records is of a Aplomado Falcon in New Mexico! I was the only person there with a camera!
An aplomado falcon in NM is huge! Congratulations on that.
It is something that keeps me sane, at least to some extent!
I don't think there is any way to stay sane in these times, but we do our best....
As I’ve gotten stronger, I’ve begun to walk every day and be aware of how many steps I’m taking. I have practiced your form of walking meditation, inside around the interior of the house when it’s too cold to be outside. I now look forward to it instead of wondering if it’s going to be too much for my body. I’ve gradually increased my steps over the last six months by about 200 a day.
Kathryn, I am so glad to hear that you are now walking every day. That is such a gift! Being able to move in a mindful way, step by step, has to be good for you in so many ways, from spiritual to physical. And what a boost for your sense of self, too! May your walking meditation continue to be fulfilling and to help ground you in this traumatic times. Many blessings to you.
A beautiful and timely essay, Sus. Thank you.
I am inspired and fascinated by the 19 monks of the Dhammacetiya project. In my mind's eye, I imagine walking with them, and they, walking with me. In a tumultuous time, you offer a way to find perspective; to tune into our humanity; to know kinship with the earth and sky. In short, you suggest a way to live and walk in the beauty of life. I'm so grateful for your grace, my friend.
Thank you, Stephanie. I've had an extremely ungraceful week with overwhelming deadlines, family crises, and friends who I am nurturing through long-term difficult situations, in addition to the events in the news. I feel like walking meditation is the only thing holding me together, and that barely. We will get through this.... Hugs to you!
Yes, we will. We are here to help each other. Sending you a big hug. May the days get easier. Biggest of hugs.
We’re moved as we move
in walking meditation.
A step at a time.
Amen! And thank you, Marisol, for your lyrical words. Blessings....
The monks inspire me with their walking meditation for peace. To this year of walking, one step at a time.
Aren't they amazing? One step at a time, walking toward the light....